10 Cover Songs That Shouldn't Have Worked (But Did)

Ever since breaking onto the scene in the '70s, Bruce Springsteen's music has always been about something larger than life. Though the characters in each of his stories aren't meant to be epic in any way, shape, or form, the way that he writes these Everyman tales feels like the fate of the world is in our hands rather than the heroes we hear about in movies. When you want to get a little more gutteral though, it tends to work wonders for the aggro crowd.

While The Ghost of Tom Joad was definitely a highlight of the Boss' later career, the real left turn came when this song was co-opted for Rage Against the Machine's covers album Renegades. Though most of the record was known for including the likes of hardcore punk bands and hip hop outfits, this turn into heartland rock seemed to come right out of nowhere. Then again, when you take a look at the lyrics, it's easy to see where everything lines up.

Framed as a man down and out and looking for some sort of hope to come around, Rage frames this song in a dangerous sort of haze, almost like the coming Armageddon could take place before Tom Joad even decides to return. Since Tom Morello has become a card carrying member of the Springsteen fan club at this point, it feels like the marriage between the Everyman and the apolitical rebel is a lot more feasible than you might think.